Bond Point is a testable, single bonding point.  It is installed into a project by attaching the clamp to the reinforcing steel prior to the concrete pour.

Once the job is complete and the concrete has cured, the Bond Point housing is cut down to height, and the screw and test button are installed to finish the process leaving a small 35mm button.

A single bonding test point can be used in wet areas on the slab as well as in a swimming pool zone to enable the electrical potential of the reinforcing steel in that zone to be tested after project completion.

AS/NZS 3000:2018 Electrical installations (also known as the ‘‘Wiring Rules”), contain essential electrical requirements for swimming pools and spas. The Wiring Rules is legislated for compliance in all Australian States/Territories and therefore is mandatory. Swimming pool and spa builders, including pool fence installers, need to be aware of the additional electrical work required by the wiring rules.

AS/NZS 3000 requires swimming pools and spa pool electrical equipment and the associated wiring to conform to essential earthing requirements. This is termed equipotential bonding. The bonding of all extraneous and exposed conductive materials within a defined area (zone) of the pool installation will protect the swimmer from the effects of electricity under fault conditions.

Equipotential bonding is achieved by the connection of conductive materials to an earth conductor, which is terminated to the earthing bar of the electrical switchboard or, where applicable, the earthing termination of a socket outlet for the pool equipment.

Electrical equipment such as pumps, heaters, lights and cables can fail and introduce electricity into conductive building materials within the pool area. Adjoining properties electrical faults can also introduce ground-borne voltage into a pool area.

Equipotential bonding is the best way to keep dangerous voltages from wet areas. The same methods are also applied to conductive building surfaces in bathrooms.

What needs to be Bonded:
1. Reinforcing metal of a concrete pool shell and pool surrounds.
Note: Only one bonding point is required when all the steel reinforcement is wire tied as one complete conductive system
2. Conductive metalwork as a support system for plastic-lined or fibreglass pools
3. Exposed conductive parts of any low-voltage electrical equipment, including electrical equipment in contact with the pool water
4. Conductive ladders and diving boards
5. Conductive fencing within arm’s reach (1.25m) of the pool edge
6. Conductive building structures within arm’s reach of the pool edge
7. Any conductive metal greater than 100mm in any dimension within arm’s reach of the pool edge e.g. conductive pool fencing systems and glass panel supporting spigots

1. Located in a position that will be accessible with space for connections to be made after pool construction (e.g. located adjacent to the pool equipment)
2. Identified by marking its location on the switchboard at which the circuits supplying the pool or spa originate, or other permanent location
3. Appropriately designed and constructed PLUS protected against mechanical damage and damage due to corrosion

The wiring rules prescribe two measured zones around the perimeter of a pool. The innermost zone (Zone 1) limits the type of electrical equipment in this specific area. The second outer zone (Zone 2) allows non-essential pool equipment to meet lesser electrical specifications.

Zones are essential to be established during the planning stage, as electrical overhead power lines, connection points, switchboards, metering enclosures and solar equipment are prohibited from being located within these zones.

Commercial and medical pools require larger and specialist equipment and therefore involve high-level electrical engineering assessments that require additional earthing methods to achieve the same low-risk design.

Avoid Expensive Cost Overruns

Discuss the electrical work with your Electrical Contractor:
1. Plan ahead
2. Engage with your Electrical Contractor early in the design/planning process
3. Provide your Electrical Contractor with site plans and equipment specifications
4. If possible, eliminate by alternative design any conductive metal within arm’s reach of the pool edge

Please note that this is general guidance of the intent of the Wiring Rules. State regulators may have variances to this advice. You are strongly advised to engage with a Licensed Electrical Contractor (Master Electrician) to seek the best possible outcome.